Kodak Adds Automation Capability to Its Trendsetter, Achieve Platesetters for Unmanaged Operation

ROCHESTER, NY—July 17, 2014—Kodak has introduced new computer-to-plate (CTP) automation capabilities to its existing Kodak Trendsetter and Kodak Achieve Platesetter lines to help customers meet business needs, drive maximum productivity and reduce labor costs. An optional Single Cassette Unit (SCU) is now available as an add-on to these products to allow automated plate loading and unloading of up to 240 plates with slip sheet removal and automatic plate rotation.

The units that will benefit from the SCU option include: Kodak Trendsetter Q400 Platesetter, Kodak Trendsetter Q800 Platesetter, Kodak Trendsetter News Platesetter, Kodak Achieve T400 Platesetter and the Kodak Achieve T800 Platesetter. With the addition of the SCU option, these modular platesetters are now available in semi-automatic, auto unload, autoloader and single cassette unit configurations. This added layer of automation provides customers with the ability to experience high-quality, reliable plate making while achieving:

• Uninterrupted operation for up to seven and a half hours;
• Reduction of prepress labor with a higher level of automation including paper removal, automatic plate loading and unloading into a processor or stacker;
• Faster time to press;
• Flexible operations with optional trolleys for quick additional capacity including additional plate formats;
• The option to bypass automation for maximum uptime.

“Today’s printers are faced with rising labor and prepress costs coupled with inefficient processes and systems that limit productivity,” said Chris Balls, general manager, Output Devices for Kodak. “With the addition of the SCU automation feature to the Kodak Platesetter product lines, customers are now able to free up existing resources to focus on value-adding activities rather than machine management. In addition, the SCU capability enables printers to run operations for up to seven and a half hours unmanaged, enabling them to increase productivity throughout all lines of the business and improve their competitive position.”

The optional SCU comes in a compact footprint of 2.33mx2.80mx1.86m and shares the same engine and unload table as the platesetter and includes a paper removal bin with a capacity of up to 240 plates. It is currently available in controlled sales production environments with wider global availability later this year.

The SCU is fully compatible with Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates that allow printers to skip the plate processing step, further improving efficiency and reducing time to press. This add-on technology is also optimized to work with Kodak Prinergy Workflow, furthering the printer’s automation capabilities through production-to-plate.

As the creator of thermal CTP technology, Kodak is well known for the superior imaging technology of its Trendsetter and Achieve Platesetters offering the quality and capabilities customers have come to expect from Kodak CTP systems regardless of their printing environment.

About Kodak
Kodak is a technology company focused on imaging for business. It provides innovative hardware, software, consumables and services to customers in graphic communications, packaging and functional printing. It also serves entertainment and commercial films markets. With its world-class R&D organization and extensive product portfolio, Kodak is helping customers around the globe to grow their own businesses in a sustainable way.

Source: Kodak.